The latest on California politics and government

December 18, 2012

VIDEO:Dan Walters says pressure is building to raise the minimum wage in California, with the Legislature poised to consider the issue next year.

State Sen. Kevin de LeÃ³n, D-Los Angeles holds a 10 a.m. news conference at the Capitol to announce legislation his office said will combat "the easy accessibility to firearm ammunition that fuels gun violence and criminal activity."

The news conference, in Room 1190, comes less than a week after the school shooting in Newtown, Conn. State Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, announced Monday that he is drafting legislation to close loopholes he said exist in the state's assault weapon ban.

De LeÃ³n carried legislation signed by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009 to require vendors of handgun ammunition to obtain thumbprints and other data from buyers. The law was challenged on constitutional grounds and struck down by a Fresno Superior Court judge. The case is now on appeal.

HOLIDAY MUSIC: Today's performances in the Capitol rotunda include violinist Ray Anthony Trujillo and a Salvation Army brass quintet. For a full list visit the California State Capitol Museum website.